Albert g-



(No Model.)

, A. G. EAVES.

MASK.

N0 434,435. Patented Aug. 19, 1890.

. 4 INVENTOR:

BMW W F WITNESSES:

.dttorney.

n1: mums Patina ca, mom-mum, msmmn'on, a. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

ALBERT G. EAVES, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

' MASK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Il'ietters Patent No. 434,435, dated August 19, 1890. Application filed November 22, 1889. Serial No. 331,148. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALBERT G. EAVES, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Masks, of whichthe following is a specification.

My invention relates to face-masks to be worn at masked balls and the like to conceal the identity of the wearer. These masks, so far as my invention relates thereto, are commonly of two kindsnamely, the grotesque mask, of paper or papier mach, and the domino mask, of thin stiffened muslin or other textile fabric. The ordinary papiermach mask is molded to give relief and contour to the features, and has apertures only at the mouth, eyes, and nostrils. The ordinary domino mask has apertures only at the eyes, and that portion of the face below the nostrils is concealed by a sort of veil attached to the lower edge of the mask proper. Both of these masks are secured to the wearers head ordinarily by an elastic band,which circles the head justabove the ear. The end of the band is secured removably at one or both ends to the respective sides of the mask. At best a face-mask of this character, worn in a ball-room, is very hot and uncomfortable, but the custom pertaining to all such gatherings prohibits the wearer from unmasking until a certain hour. Consequently it is desirable to provide a mask that will enable the wearer to obtain immediate relief without removing the mask, and this is the object of my present invention.

In carrying out my invention I weaken the material of the mask by a row or rows of perforations, cuts, or slits along a predetermined line or lines, whereby the wearer may in a moment break away and remove certain portions of the mask, always leaving, however, that portion of the same to which the elastic retaining-band is secured, and which of itself constitutes a mask that will comply with the technical requirements of the customs or rules relating to the wearing of masks at such assemblages. For example, a line of perforations may extend across the forehead portion of the mask above the eyebrows, which will permit all that portion of the mask above this line to be broken away and removed. That portion of the mask covering the mouth and chin may also be rendered removable in the same manner. The apertures at the eyes, mouth, and nostrils may be surrounded by rows of perforations or slits in such a manner as to permit of the material enlargement of these apertures.

As some slight strain will be thrown on the connection of the elastic or other retaining band with the mask when the pieces are broken away by the wearer, I re-enforce the paper or papier-mach mask at the said points of connection in order to assure the wearer against the embarrassment that would arise from the breaking away of the edge of the mask at this point.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, Wherein Figure 1 is a face view of a full papier-maoh or paper face-mask embodying my invention, and Fig. 2 is a similar view of a domino mask, also embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view showing the reenforce of tough material at the point where the attaching-band is secured to the edge of the mask.

In Fig. 1, a represents a line of perforations extending across the forehead portion of the mask above the eyebrows. b represents lines of perforations around the eye-apertures in the mask. 0 represents lines of perforations at the nostrils, whereby the two apertures thereat may be enlarged by breaking out the intervening portion of the mask. d represents a line of perforations, which will permit thelower portion of the mask, includ ing the chin and mouth covering, to be removed; and 6 represents a line of perforations about the mouth-aperture, which permits of enlarging the latter by the removal of the lip-coverings. In Fig. 2 similar lines or rows of perforations may be employed. In this figu re 0, represents a.row of perforations, which permits the removal of the upper portion of the mask, and (1' represents a line of perforations that will permit the removal of all of the lower portion of the mask. The perforations f at the base of the nose portion of this mask facilitate breathing.

The various lines of perforations or slits may merge or run into one another at certain points, as represented in the drawings, but

they will be so arranged that after all the pieces or parts capable of being broken away have been removed aconsiderable portion of the mask about the eyes and nose will remain attached to the wearers head by the band.

I do not limit myself to any specific number of lines or perforations nor to any particular arrangement thereof, as such lines may be varied in both of these respects.

As to the mode of weakening the mask along predetermined lines, the character of the slits or perforations employed will depend somewhat upon the character of the material employed in making the mask. If it be made from woven or textile material, this material will require to be cut across to a greater extent than if paper or papier-mach be employed.

In the latter case the lines of perforations may be formed in the mask before the latter is painted and then the after painting will conceal the lines to some extent.

In Fig. 2 I have, for convenience, shown the lines of weakness formed of large perforations, but they may as well be formed of slits which sever the material, but do not remove any portion thereof.

In Fi 3, g represents the material of the paper or papiermach mask at the point where the attaching-band is to be secured thereto. At this point I cement to the mask a re-enforce h, of tough paper, cloth, or the like, and set an eyelet t in the mask at this re-enforced point.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim- 1. A facemask having the material from which it is constructed materially weakened along predetermined lines by slits or perforations, whereby the wearer may conveniently remove portions theseof without removing the mask from the face. r

2. A face-mask having a line or lines of perforations extending entirely across it from side to side, whereby the wearer may break off and remove that portion of the mask parted off or segregated by said lines or line of perforations.

A face-mask made from paper or papiermach, having its material weakened along predetermined lines, as described, and re-cnforced with tough material at the points where the attaching-band is to be secured thereto, whereby the wearer may break away portions of said mask along said lines without risk of disconnecting said band.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALBERT G. EAVES.

W'itnesses:

HENRY CONNETT, J. D. CAPLINGER. 

